The Details

What’s in a name? Well, for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, seemingly everything. As the latest Las Vegas property to sweep visitors off their feet, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is anything if not sophisticated. Cosmopolitan it is, indeed, from the Chandelier bar to the oversized high-heel shoe art installation, the property is a feast for the eyes as well as the senses. It’s hard to imagine a better place for a summer respite — despite the sizzling desert temperatures.

Room to MoveThe Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was originally conceived as a condo-hotel. As such, the hotel’s rooms are spacious, whether you are staying in a Terrace Studio or the Lanai Suite. We stayed in the Terrace Studio with a premium view. It was ideally suited to our needs with a view of the Las Vegas skyline and the pool, a separate living room and a large bathroom with separate a shower and bath. Our friends, who were celebrating their wedding, booked a Wraparound Terrace Suite. The 1,200-square-foot suite featured views of the Strip, a 480-square-foot wraparound balcony with three sliding-glass doors, a separate living and dining area, a fully stocked bar with a Sub-Zero wine cooler, a kitchenette and more. Booking this suite is an ideal way for clients to splurge on a special occasion.

Staying CoolDuring the day, the Pool District is the place to keep cool. Three different pools offer a variety of opportunities to chill out, from the all-day party scene to the organic and serene. The Boulevard Pool, overlooking the strip, features lively music and a laidback ambience. For a more active pool experience, there is the Marquee Dayclub, an extension of the Marquee Nightclub, which offers two pools and several bars as well as a gaming area with six blackjack tables.

During our visit, we chose to beat the heat at the Bamboo Pool. Adjacent to the spa, this pool area provided a more serene atmosphere. There is one large pool as well as a large whirlpool tub, cabanas and ample space for sunbathing. In the pool, a shallow ledge lies about six inches under the water on one side of the pool allowing guests to sit in the water and leisurely sip their drinks.

If the pool doesn’t provide enough solace from the heat, one place guests will surely find comfort is at the Sahara Spa and Hammam. Just getting a day pass to use the spa’s Turkish Hammam is worth a visit, but indulging in a treatment provides true relaxation. I enjoyed a one-hour massage and proceeded to spend time in the fitness center as well as the Hammam and left feeling relaxed and refreshed.

DiningIt’s simply not possible to go hungry at the Cosmopolitan. The property features a wide range of dining options to suit even the most discerning tastes. My husband and I still talk about Holstein’s, a new burger concept from Block 16 Hospitality. Our burgers were delicious, but it was the drink menu that proved to be most memorable. For ice-cream lovers, a Bam-Boozled Shake should be on their menu. We sampled the Frozen Grasshopper with peppermint meringue, chocolate crunches, creme de menthe and Van Gogh Dutch chocolateVodka. My mouth waters just from thinking about it. In addition to unique burgers, shakes and cocktails, Holstein’s also offers late-night snacks such as fried pickles, mini Maine lobster burgers and sweet potato fries that are irresistible after a night out on the town.

While I could go on and on about Holstein’s, other restaurants such as China Poblano, a Mexican and Asian fusion restaurant; STK, a steakhouse by The One Group; Scarpetta; and several others could take a week’s time for visitors to eat their way through.

EntertainmentOne of the areas of the Cosmopolitan that has become the most well-known is the Chandelier bar, which is an incredible, must-see highlight of the hotel — whether you enjoy a drink there or not. If you do, I highly recommend heading up to at least the second level, where guests are completely enveloped by the chandelier, to get the full effect of the bar’s beauty. Other places to grab a drink include Book & Stage, a sports bar; Bond, which features DJs playing house music; and the Marquee Nightclub, run by The Tao Group.

One thing to note about a visit to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is that it’s original design did not include a casino. As such, the hotel stands out in Vegas, not for its lack of one — there is a beautiful casino at the foot of the Chandelier bar — but because it seems like the casino was an afterthought, making the Cosmopolitan feel like a sophisticated destination resort rather than a Las Vegas casino hotel.

Through July 31, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is offering a variety of summer packages, including the Lounge All Day, Go Out All Night package featuring two nights in a Terrace one bedroom, complimentary access for two to the Marquee Dayclub or Nightclub and more. Various other package offerings are featured on the hotel’s website: www.CosmopolitanLasVegas.com/stay/packages.aspx.